Competitive Gaming Merit Badge

1. History of gaming and esports Requirement

Four pieces of research: a timeline, five genres, gaming against esports, and five moments in the esports industry.

4 parts, 1 ticked

• 1(a). A timeline of video gaming since 1958
• 1(b). Five video game genres, with an example of each
• 1(c). Video gaming against esports
• 1(d). Five major moments in esports since 1990, discussed with your counselor

2. Living the Scout Oath and Law online Requirement

Toxicity, handling negative experiences, ESRB ratings, and a positive gaming environment, after a safety video.

5 parts

• 2. Watch the Digital Safety video, with your parent or guardian's permission Often forgotten
• 2(a). Toxicity in gaming: an example, and how the Oath and Law resolve it
• 2(b). Five strategies for negative online experiences
• 2(c). ESRB ratings of the games you own, against your age
• 2(d). Five ways to keep online gaming positive, and demonstrate one Often forgotten

3. Gamer health and balance: three weeks Often forgotten Requirement

Two weeks tracking gaming, activity and sleep side by side, then one week following a balanced schedule built from them. The longest requirement on the badge.

THIS IS THE CLOCK. 3(b), 3(c) and 3(d) are tracked over the same two weeks, and 3(e) cannot start until all three are finished; it is then a week of following the schedule you build. Three weeks at the least, and the only part of the badge that cannot be done in an evening. Start the tracking in your first week, not when you reach requirement 3 in order.

5 parts

• 3(a). Four articles, two for gaming and two against, charted
• 3(b). Track your gaming every day for two weeks Often forgotten
• 3(c). Track your physical activity for the same two weeks Often forgotten
• 3(d). Track your sleep for the same two weeks Often forgotten
• 3(e). Build a balanced week, follow it, and summarize Usually comes after 3(b). Track your gaming every day for two weeks, 3(c). Track your physical activity for the same two weeks and 3(d). Track your sleep for the same two weeks.

4. Gamer safety and community connection Requirement

Benefits and risks, ten safety measures, a session with your parent or guardian, and a multiplayer game with somebody else.

4 parts

• 4(a). Benefits and risks of gaming online
• 4(b). Ten ways to stay safe playing online
• 4(c). Play with your parent or guardian for at least 30 minutes Often forgotten
• 4(d). A team or cooperative game with another person, reviewed with your counselor Often forgotten

5. Technology in competitive gaming Requirement

Console against PC, one game on two platforms, and a gaming PC parts list.

3 parts

• 5(a). Console gaming against PC gaming
• 5(b). Play the same game on two platforms and compare
• 5(c). Design a gaming PC on a PC builder site, and discuss it

6. Leadership and service in competitive gaming. Do ONE Requirement

The badge states the choice: teach, watch a live-streamed event, or attend one in person.

3 parts

• 6(a). Teach online gaming safety or digital citizenship Optional May not apply
• 6(b). Watch a live-streamed esports event and take notes Optional May not apply
• 6(c). Attend an esports event in person, with somebody Optional May not apply Often forgotten

7. Professions in the competitive gaming industry Requirement

Two college esports programs, three gaming-adjacent careers, and three jobs at a major publisher.

3 parts

• 7(a). Two colleges with varsity esports programs
• 7(b). Three gaming-adjacent careers that are not esports athlete
• 7(c). Three jobs on a major game publisher's careers page

Counselor signs it off Milestone

The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.

Usually comes after 1. History of gaming and esports, 2. Living the Scout Oath and Law online and 5 others.

Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.